Size control of polydopamine nodules formed on polystyrene particles during dopamine polymerization with carboxylic acid-containing compounds for the fabrication of raspberry-like particles

- Polystyrene-polydopamine raspberry-like particles were prepared.
- The carboxylic acid group is a key moiety to form raspberry-like particles.
- The formation mechanism of raspberry-like particles was also proposed.
- This work is a versatile method to prepare nonspherical polydopamine coatings.